When I think about carrying out my GAME plan, there are many things that I need to consider.
Resources:
There are many resources that I will need to successfully carry out my plan. One resource that I need is time to read and search for technology tools that I can use in my classroom. Access to the internet is something that I do not have a problem with, but I need to take the time to explore tools and lessons that incorporate technology. For my students to be more engaged and learn the 21st century skills that they will need, I need to research and plan for the best lessons that will teach them the skills that they need. Another resource that I will use for my GAME plan is my colleagues. There are many experienced teachers in my school that use technology often in their classrooms. We also have a technology coordinator available to help us find and use technology tools in our classrooms. Seeking the advice of my colleagues and sharing ideas with each other can help provide the support needed to carry out my plan.
Additional Information:
In order to carry out my GAME plan I need to consider my students and their interests, along with our access to technology. Fortunately, all of my students have access to a netbook for use in the classroom and at home. This makes it easier for me to plan activities for the students using technology and for them to access additional information or assignments that they may have missed. When considering my students, I have to examine their backgrounds and find out what interests them so that I can be more successful at engaging them in lessons that will teach them the content and the skills that they will need to have. I also have to examine their abilities when it comes to technology so that I can have a better idea of how much assistance they need with the technology.
My steps I've taken so far:
I have taken many steps towards completing my GAME plan. I have taken more time researching tools that my students can use in the classroom and finding tools that I can use to present content that will be more engaging. One activity that all of my classes either has completed or are in the process of completing is a wiki. Most of them did not have any experience with wikis, but they we very quick to learn the skill and were able to successfully work in small groups and create the wikis. I have also brought more technology into presenting the content. This has engaged more of my students and they seem more interested in what I am teaching them. I have also researched more tools that I can use and talked to many of my colleagues sharing what we are doing in our classrooms.
I am very excited to continue carrying out my GAME plan! I feel that I am off to a good start and I have all the right tools to continue and successfully carry out my GAME plan.
Danielle,
ReplyDeleteSounds like you are well on your way to achieving the goals that you have for your GAME plan. Like you, I also need to take the time to read and research what is online. There is so much out there, sometimes it can be overwhelming. One thing that you might want to try to help narrow down your search is performing an advanced search through Google. I just thought that I would mention that, because someone shared that with me once before, and I was embarrased that I had never tried it before. Something so simple, was so very helpful to me! Also, I like what you said about utilizing the colleagues in your building to assist you in your GAME plan. I have found that in my building, there are many teachers who have been able to be of assistance to me, and I didn't have to go very far to get the information. Good luck to you as you continue on your journey. I am sure that you will be successful in meeting your goals that you have for yourself, and your learning community.
Hi Danielle,
ReplyDeleteI can certainly feel the positive vibe from your post and that your students must be thrilled to have all the technologies in their lesson with you! Good job!
I totally agree with you that we need to take time to read, to upgrade ourselves in terms of learning more new technologies. It’s definitely a good idea to share with your colleagues on a regular basis to pick their brain. This will save you a lot of time to do it all by yourself!
Whilst I agree with you that knowing students’ interest can help us plan what learning tasks to set out for them. May I also suggest that since our students are all techno-savvy, we can invite them to share or give presentations on technology tools that they like or know about that’ll assist their learning. That way they get to demonstrate to the whole class, at the same time, we get to learn from our students too. I love inviting my kids to be the ‘teacher’ of the day. They absolutely love the ‘power’ and ‘satisfaction’ gained from the experience. This also give them more ownership of what they are learning/ teaching. Again this saves us time in trying to research for new tools to learn. It shall be more related to our students too since they are the one who use it.
I love our idea of creating a wiki with your students. I think I am going to do that as well with my students. I shall think about how to incorporate the theme we are teaching at the moment to create a wiki for it. Thanks for sharing your idea!
Sarah
Stacy: Thanks for the suggestions for performing a Google advanced search. I admit that I have never tried that before. I will definitely try it to see how helpful it can be. I definitely use my colleagues for suggestions with technology. I like to see what they are doing and what is working for them. We frequently talk about the technology that we are using in our classrooms on in-service days, and I am never hesitant to share because I think it is important for us to share our ideas to get feedback and show our skills so that we can help others.
ReplyDeleteSarah: There are many times when my students have shown me something that they found that was cool and they have shown me. They do enjoy teaching each other about the technology that we are using. I have had students demonstrate a tool on the SMART board for the class and help me assist them in performing tasks. They are excited about it and the other students sometimes appreciate that more than me always being the one to teach them a new skill. They are also motivated to master new skills so that they can show others how to do something that they have learned.
ReplyDeleteWhen we created wikis I used wikispaces. I showed them a video called "Wikis in plain English" on youtube to introduce them to wikis because they have never made one. That really seemed to help them and they had a better idea of using the tool. This also gave them an opportunity to teach each other how to add things to the wiki. It was great to see them working together and teaching each other how to use the tools!
Hi Danielle,
ReplyDeleteWhat a successful lesson! You use technology (youtube) to teach another technology (wiki). You are role modeling to your students no doubt! :) It also demonstrate how useful the Internet really is and how students can find any information they want from the Internet, all they need to know is how :)
Good job!
Sarah
Wikis are a great way to get students working together and collaborating. I noticed the first time we set one up in my school it became a little overwhelming for everyone. I think you took a better approach and used small groups. This helps ease kids into the process until they feel comfortable. I think it's great that you are impletmented these tools into your classroom. Good luck!
ReplyDeleteHello Danielle. I think you are off to a great start with putting your GAME plan into action. I think is great that you are not only completing your own research, but sharing with colleagues as well. I have learned a wealth of information and strategies that I can incorporate with all of my learners. I have not only learned from the staff at my school, but also from other schools. Our district meets with other schools in our district and the grade levels have the opportunity to speak to one another. A new thing that our district will be trying is if we have a great authentic project, or a strategy that has really worked with our students,we are being asked to bring that with us and a student sample as well, so other teachers will not only hear about what are ideas are, they can see it as well. I have also learned so much from all of our online colleagues. Thanks for a great post and I wish you the best of luck with carrying out your GAME plan!
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